The Repair Shop

S08:E13 - Pocket Sewing Machine, Copicat, Ukrainian Painting

The experts are excited to work their magic on three new items.The first arrival is for paintings conservator Lucia Scalisi. Maria has brought a 19th-century Madonna and Child painting that originally hung in a Ukrainian village church where her family lived. During the Second World War it was rolled up and hidden in her grandmother Halena's coat just before she was taken to a forced labour camp in Northern Germany with her two daughters, Irena and Stefania. During their time in the camp the painting was the only possession they held on to and was their connection to home. Although her grandmother did not survive the camp Maria's mum Irena and aunt Stefania were liberated but could not return home, so the painting has been in their care ever since. Lucia has her work cut out as cracks have appeared where the painting was hastily folded and stored. Maria hopes to one day return the restored painting to its original home. *Sarah has travelled from Somerset with an intriguing Victorian gadget to test the mechanical mind of Steve Fletcher. The brass, pocket sized sewing machine was designed to attach to a tabletop and work as a miniature, portable lock stitch machine. It has been passed down the female line of Sarah's family for generations, as sewing is most definitely in their blood. Her grandma was a skilled seamstress and her father designed and made her bridesmaids' dresses. Sarah has been fascinated by the machine from the moment her grandma showed it to her many years ago but neither she nor her grandma ever saw it working. It's a tricky challenge for Steve Fletcher, can he get this seized up machine whirring once again?Lastly, Brian comes to call with a defunct piece of 1950s audio technology that created the signature guitar sound from his youth. He's hoping electronics expert Mark Stuckey can bring it back into action. Brian lives and breathes music and loves to perform, even now in his 80s. The Copicat works like a tape recorder and, when an electric guitar is connected, it records and plays back the previous sound, like an echo. The technique was made famous by bands like 'The Shadows' and Brian, with his various bands, would often use it at gigs. He'd now love to entertain his friends and play gigs once again.* Ukrainian Painting item and story also appears in episode 41 - Ukrainian Painting, Kayak, Cavern Calendar (Episode MPM #4228058)